Clinic and microbiological evaluation of diode laser at different disinfection parameters as an adjunct to initial periodontal therapy

Clinic and Microbiological Evaluation of Diode Laser at Different Disinfection Parameters as an Adjunct to Initial Periodontal Therapy The objective of this study was to compare the clinical and microbiological effects of diode laser (940 nm) with two different parameters as an adjunct to initial periodontal therapy in chronic periodontitis (CP) patients. A total of 30 CP patients (16 female, 14 male) ages ranging between 30-65, with a probing depth (PD) ? 5 mm and gingival index (GI) ? 2 in at least 3 single-rooted teeth within each quadrant were selected, and divided into 3 groups randomly. Groups of patients received: 1) High parameter diode laser with scaling and root planing (SRP+YPL group) (2 W, 20 ms pulse length-20 ms pulse interval, 30 sn per tooth), 2) low parameter diode laser with SRP (SRP+DPL group) (2 W, 20 ms pulse length-20 ms pulse interval, 30 sn per tooth), 3) SRP alone (SRP group). Subgingival plaque samples were obtained from selected teeth with PD ? 5 mm and GI ? 2 at day 0 and day 90. Following the microbiological sampling, clinical measurements including plaque index (PI), GI, bleeding on probing (BOP), PD, relative attachment level (RAL) were performed. For the microbiological evaluation total viable cell count (TVC) was performed and proportions of obligate anaerobic microorganisms were determined. At the end of the observation period, statistically significant improvements in all clinical parameters were observed within each group. Intergroup comparison of differences of PI values did not show statistically significance (p>0.05), however GI, BOP, PD, RAL values revealed statistically significant difference in favour of the SRP+YPL and SRP+DPL groups (p<0.05). Parallel to the clinical changes, all treatment procedures reduced TVC and proportions of obligate anaerobic microorganisms in all groups (p<0.05). Intergroup comparisons of microbiological parameters revealed significant difference in favour of the SRP+YPL and SRP+DPL groups (p<0.05). As a result, the SRP+YPL and SRP+DPL groups reflected clinical and microbiological superiority to the SRP group. As a result, diode laser used as an adjunct to mechanical treatment was statistically significant even in low doses; however within the limitations of the present study, no superiority was detected between the given paremeters lowest and highest disinfection doses within the confidence range.